Programmable thermostat incorporating a liquid crystal display and having a feature for mounting horizontally, vertically and any intermediate orientation

ABSTRACT

A programmable thermostat having a touch screen dot matrix LCD in which the pictorial presenting information and virtual buttons on the touch screen is user configurable to be correctly oriented whether the thermostat is mounted horizontally or vertically.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/060,768 filed Jan. 30, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,069.This application is related to: co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.10/654,255 entitled “Programmable Thermostat Incorporating a LiquidCrystal Display Selectively Presenting Adaptable System Menus IncludingChangeable Interactive Virtual Buttons” by Howard B. Rosen, filed oneven date herewith; and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/654,236, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,786,421, entitled “Programmable Thermostat Including aFeature for providing a Running Total for the Cost of Energy ConsumedDuring a Given Period for Heating and/or Cooling a Conditioned Space” byHoward B. Rosen, filed on even date herewith.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a programmable thermostat incorporatingan interactive liquid crystal display (LCD), and, more particularly, tosuch a thermostat which includes a feature for providing a running totalfor the cost of energy consumed during a given period for heating and/orcooling a conditioned space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Thermostats have been used for many years as temperature sensitiveswitches which control heating and/or cooling equipment for conditioninga space in which the thermostat, or a temperature sensor connected tothe thermostat, is placed. In the well known manner, a simple thermostatcan be adjusted to establish a temperature set point such that, when thetemperature in the conditioned space reaches the set point, thethermostat interacts with the heating and/or/cooling equipment to takesuitable action to heat or cool the conditioned space as may beappropriate for the season as established by a user.

Modern thermostat systems, which take advantage of the ongoing rapidadvances in electronic technology and circuit integration, have manyfeatures which provide more precise supervision of the heating and/orcooling equipment to achieve more economical and more comfortablemanagement of the temperature of a conditioned space. Many modernthermostat systems include a real time clock, a memory and a dataprocessor to run a process control program stored in the memory; Suchthermostats accurately measure the temperature of a temperature sensordisposed in the conditioned space and make decisions to send controlsignals to the heating and/or cooling equipment in order to closelycontrol the temperature of the conditioned space. The use of programmedthermostat systems permits anticipating and minimizing hysterisis orovershoot of the temperature in the conditioned space. In addition, theprogram can specify different set points at different times of the dayand week and may also include a “vacation” mode which employs differentset points when the conditioned space is not occupied for an extendedperiod.

Many modern thermostat systems are programmable by a user. Typically,prior art programmable thermostat systems employ a set of fixedposition, button-actuated switches to be depressed in a precise sequenceto program set points (which may vary with the day of the week) forprogrammable time periods which may include a vacation mode. Theprogramming sequence may be followed on a separate display, typically anLCD with segmented text characters. In some modern thermostats,“virtual” buttons are presented on the LCD itself which is juxtaposedwith a touch pad to effect an interactive touch screen.

Outside of the art of programmable thermostat systems and programmablethermostats, dot matrix LCDs, which have pixel display elements arrangedin rows and columns, are widely used. Dot matrix LCDs are not common asuser-visible displays on programmable thermostats for viewingalphanumeric and iconic graphic information although such a thermostatis disclosed in, and particular features claimed in, co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/440,474, filed May 15, 2003, andentitled: “Reverse Images in a Dot Matrix LCD for an EnvironmentalControl Device” by Howard B. Rosen, incorporated by reference herein.

This limited use of dot matrix LCDs in programmable thermostats isbecause of basic engineering and practical considerations. Displayedinformation for a programmable thermostat generally includes such thingsas environmental conditions, heating and/or cooling equipment operationor non-operation, operational modes of the thermostat and the like. Themost important information in thermostat displays is capable of beingformed from segmented alphanumeric characters on less expensive LCDswithout dot matrix capability and with reduced requirements for memoryand programming.

Thus, dot matrix LCDs have not been widely used in prior art userprogrammable thermostats through a failure to understand an extendedfunctionality capability of those devices when dot matrix LCDs areemployed with a touch pad to effect an interactive display. Thisextended functionality is exploited to advantage in the presentinvention both to greatly simplify user programming and to relieve themanufacturer of the necessity to fabricate variants of the thermostat tosuit the control and display aspects of various heating and/or coolingenvironments.

Thermostats incorporating a dot matrix LCD are generally rectangular inshape and typically mounted with the long axis disposed horizontally.However, for both practical and aesthetic reasons, it may be desirableto mount the thermostat with the long axis disposed vertically. In theprior art thermostats, this has required the design and production oftwo different models because of the necessary reorientation of thedisplay and user interface components.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a broad object of this invention to provide a fieldprogrammable thermostat which may be user-configured for alternativehorizontal and vertical mounting positions.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide a programmablethermostat having a touch screen dot matrix LCD in which the pictorialpresenting information and virtual buttons on the touch screen is userconfigurable to be correctly oriented whether the thermostat is mountedhorizontally or vertically.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, these and other objects of the invention are provided by aprogrammable thermostat system for controlling space conditioningequipment and which includes: a transparent touch pad juxtaposed with anLCD (preferably dot matrix) to constitute a touch screen for interactiveinterface with a user; one or more environmental condition sensors forproviding an electrical signal indicative of the one or more sensedenvironmental conditions of a conditioned space; and a processorincluding: a central processing unit, a real time clock, a memorycoupled to the central processing unit for storing program and datainformation and an input/output unit coupled between the processor andthe touch screen for carrying out information transfer therebetween.

A program stored in the memory directs the central processing unit tocommunicate through the input/output unit to selectively: establish onthe LCD a representation of at least one virtual button at apredetermined XY position; read the same XY position on the touch pad todetermine if the virtual button has been touched; and if the virtualbutton has been touched, perform a predetermined action such as movingto a different menu and/or changing operating criteria. An alphanumericmessage explaining the function of the virtual button is also displayed,and icon indicators may be employed to unmistakably associate a messagewith a virtual button. Different menus can place the virtual buttons andmessages in various positions on the touch screen to facilitateintuitive programming.

In accordance with the present invention,

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The subject matter of the invention is particularly pointed out anddistinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Theinvention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, maybest be understood by reference to the following description taken inconjunction with the subjoined claims and the accompanying drawing ofwhich:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a space conditioning system incorporatinga programmable thermostat according to the present invention;

FIG. 1 is a partially cut away schematic and top view of a thermostatwith a backlit dot matrix LCD employed as a display;

FIGS. 2 and 3 particularly illustrate a magnified section of thethermostat showing two forms of displaying contrast in a dot matrix LCD;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective and front views, respectively, of anexemplary touch screen programmable thermostat of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary pictorial of a first level interactive interfacedisplayed on the touch screen;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary pictorial of a second level interactive interfacedisplayed on the touch screen showing exemplary alternate contrast for atouch screen virtual button;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary pictorial of a second level interactive interfacedisplayed on the touch screen with an exemplary sequence of virtualbuttons available to a user upon touching a single virtual button;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary pictorial of the second level interactiveinterface displayed on the touch screen in FIG. 8 with a temporary“confirmation” virtual button for accepting the change of the singlevirtual button;

FIG. 10 is an exemplary pictorial of a second level interactiveinterface displayed on the touch screen in FIG. 8 with the functionchanged from “AUTOMATIC” to “COOL”;

FIG. 11 is an exemplary pictorial of a menu displayed on the touchscreen to provide a first set of menu selections including an “ADVANCEDSETTINGS” virtual button;

FIG. 12 is an exemplary pictorial of another interactive interfacedisplayed on the touch screen showing “ADVANCED SETTINGS” menuselections after the “ADVANCED SETTINGS” virtual button of FIG. 11 hasbeen touched;

FIG. 13 is an exemplary pictorial of yet another interactive interface,reached by touching an “ENEGY WATCH” virtual button displayed on thetouch screen, for entering settings for an “energy watch” mode;

FIG. 14 is an exemplary pictorial of a third menu interactive interfacedisplayed on the touch screen for the “energy watch” mode;

FIG. 15 is exemplary pictorial of an interactive interface displayed onthe touch screen of FIG. 8 as viewed in the device of FIG. 5 disposed ina horizontal mounting position;

FIG. 16 is exemplary pictorial of the text and graphics of theinteractive interface displayed on the touch screen of FIG. 8 rotatedfor the device of FIG. 5 disposed in a vertical mounting position;

FIG. 17 is exemplary pictorial of an interactive interface displayed onthe touch screen of FIG. 12 as viewed in the device of FIG. 5 disposedin a horizontal mounting position;

FIG. 18 is exemplary pictorial of the text and graphics of theinteractive interface displayed on the touch screen of FIG. 12 rotatedfor the device of FIG. 5 disposed in a vertical position; and

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate the manner in which different first levelinterface screens may be reviewed and selected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring first to FIG. 1A, a user programmable thermostat systemincludes a processor 1, a touch screen 2 and a temperature sensor 5which is disposed in a conditioned space 4. It will be understood thatthe processor 1 and the touch screen 2 are typically situated in acommon housing (shown in an exemplary form in FIG. 5). The sensor 5 mayalso be situated in the common housing or remotely as shown, all as verywell known in the art. The common housing is usually, but notnecessarily, placed in the conditioned space 4. Thus, those skilled inthe art will understand that the block diagram of FIG. 1A is verygeneral in order to best explain the invention.

The processor 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 9 incommunication with a memory 8 for storing data and program informationand also, via an input/output unit (I/O unit) 10, a touch pad 11 and anLCD 12 which together constitute the touch screen 2. The memory 8 mayinclude a read-only part which is factory-programmed to include theprocess control program and a random-access part which stores datasubject to change during operation. A settable real time clock 13 isused to keep time in the thermostat system to facilitate diverseoperations, such as establishing different temperature set points(desired temperatures), during different periods of the day cycle. Ananalog-to-digital converter 27 (which may not be required in allsystems) serves to convert any analog information received by the I/Ounit 10 to digital information which is suitable for use by the CPU 9.The thermostat system may be suitably powered by a battery (not shown)and/or from equipment to which is connected.

Temperature information from the sensor 5 and output signals to a spaceconditioning (heating and/or cooling) unit 3 pass through the I/O unit10 under control of the CPU 9 executing the process control programstored in the memory 8. Those skilled in the art will understand that ifthe correspondents external to the processor 1 communicating with theCPU 9 are all digital in nature (e.g., if the temperature sensor 5incorporates its own analog-to-digital converter and sends a digitalrepresentation of temperature to the processor 1), then the I/O unit 10may only constitute simple switching circuits. The LCD may optionally bebacklit by any suitable means (not shown in FIG. 1A).

The heating/cooling equipment unit 3 may include one or more componentssuch as a heater, a compressor-type air conditioner, a heat pump, etc.

Thus, in the usual manner during normal operation, the temperaturesensor 5 sends an electrical signal (e.g., if the sensor 5 is a simplethermistor, a resistance value; several types of temperature sensors arewidely used) representative of the temperature within the conditionedspace 4 which the processor can compare against a previously entered setpoint to determine if control signals need to be sent to the spaceconditioning equipment 3. For example, if the temperature in theconditioned space 4 is found to be too low when operation is in theheating mode, the processor 1 signals the space conditioning equipment 3to circulate, through ducts 6, 7, air from/to the conditioned space 4which is heated by the space conditioning equipment before return to theconditioned space. This heating phase continues until the sensor 5indicates that the space is now too hot (or approaching too hot) withreference to the set point such that the processor 1 sends signal(s) tothe space conditioning equipment 3 to cease the heating function, all asvery well known in the art. In a cooling mode, a counterpart procedureis followed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the controlprocess typically includes such refinements as anticipation, hysterisisaccommodation, fan control, etc. which are acknowledged, but are notdirectly relevant to the invention.

It may be noted that integrated circuit chips including all theprocessor components with all the necessary interface conditioningcircuits are available off-the-shelf and are under constant refinementfor increased power. The subject invention only requires thecapabilities of a processor such as the processor 1, and off-the-shelfintegrated circuit processor chips may be used to advantage in thesubject thermostat system.

Thermostat systems may be user programmable or non-user programmable.The present invention relates to programmable thermostat systems inwhich, in the prior art, programming steps have been entered using a“tactile” touch pad while observing a display which may be an LCD orsome other display type. The drawbacks of the prior art interactivethermostats have been discussed above. The present invention employs adifferent type of thermostat user interface; viz., the touch screen 2,in which the touch pad 11 and LCD 12 are integrated and coordinated aswill be discussed below and which, in conjunction with the processor 1,provides a programmable thermostat system which is very much easier toprogram than in the prior art.

FIG. 1 shows a thermostat 100 having a processor 101 for controllingspace conditioning equipment in a manner equivalent to the discussionabove. The processor 101 is electrically coupled with multipleconnections 102 to a dot matrix LCD 104 whose individual pixels 105 aredriven by suitable signals to their respective vertical columns andhorizontal rows from the processor 101. Backlight panel 103 is shown forillustration as separated from a backside of LCD 104 although it isknown and preferred that these two components be in close contact.Backlight panel 103 is connected to a source of power and to processor101 so that it can be turned on or off as needed or desired.

The processor 101 also optionally includes a light sensor (not shown)for sensing the illumination level in the space in which the LCD 104 islocated, which illumination may be compared with a previously enteredminimum illumination value to determine whether or not the room isdarkened or dimly lit. If so, the display image can be reversed toimprove readability. Alternatively, as the processor 101 includes a realtime clock, an image reversal can be instituted at predetermined timesof the 24-hour day.

Thus, FIG. 2 shows section 106 operated as it would typically appearduring a daytime or lighted room condition. The display elements ofsurrounding section 107 are essentially clear and, optionally, backlightpanel 103 shines through them to improve readability. The displayelements of image section 108 are partially or completely opaque duringdaytime or in a lighted space. The combination of image section 108 andsurrounding section 107 therefore displays system information readilycomprehensible and legible to a user in a lighted room.

FIG. 3 shows section 106 operated as it would during nighttime or in adimly lit room. The image has been reversed such that the displayelements of the surrounding section 107 are now partially or completelyopaque, and light provided by backlight panel 103 is partially orsubstantially completely blocked. But, the display elements of imagesection 108 are now essentially clear, and the light from backlightpanel 103 shines through them. The current system information is therebycomprehensible and legible to a viewer in the darkened space. The resultof this mode of operation is a dimmer display which is suitable for lowlighting conditions.

In another, similar, mode of operation, the reversible image can berepeatedly reversed to “flash” all or selected items of the display uponthe occurrence of certain conditions as will be described below.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an exemplary touch screen thermostat 110 with ahousing 111 and touch screen 112 and incorporating the subjectinvention. Thermostat 110 has no physical buttons at all; rather, allthe functions and displayed information of the programmable thermostatare available to a user by observation and interaction with the touchscreen 112. In the example, the touch screen 112 is generallyrectangular, thus having a long dimension and a short dimension.

FIG. 6 shows a first pictorial 113 presented on the touch screen 112 andincluding: a column 114 of interactive virtual buttons 115, 116, 117; a“current temperature” display 139; a “date” display 119; a “currenttime” display 120; a “heating mode active” display 118; and a “coolingmode active” display 121. Pictorial 113 displays the word “AUTO” onvirtual button 116 because the thermostat 110 is currently operating inan “automatic” mode to control both a heater and an air conditioner torespective set points shown in displays 118 and 121.

Pictorial 113 is a first level touch screen; i.e., a default firstscreen that is normally viewed by a user when first approaching thethermostat 110. The information conveyed to a user, during normal systemoperation of the exemplary current configuration shown in FIG. 6, are:current ambient temperature, current date and time, that a heater willturn on with reference to a set point of 21.5° C., that the airconditioning system will turn with reference to a set point of 24.0° C.,that the thermostat 110 is operating in the “AUTO” mode where bothheating and air conditioning system components are active and that thefan is responding to only the heating and air conditioning modes (i.e.,not always running).

When a user touches any active part of the touch screen in pictorial113, the overall display changes to pictorial 122, a second level touchscreen shown in FIG. 7. Virtual buttons 115, 116, and 117 still performthe functions described above. Newly-presented virtual buttons 127 and129 can be selectively touched at temperature displays 128, and 130,respectively, to adjust the minimum and maximum set points. FIG. 7 alsoillustrates that virtual button 116 may be touched and responsivelychanged in step 123 by the control program to reverse contrast to beshown (in the same position previously occupied by virtual button 116)as reversed contrast virtual button 124. In order to attract the user'sattention to this button position, reversals can be made in shortintervals so that the virtual button 116 appears to be flashing. This“flashing” emphasizes the fact that the thermostat 110 is currentlyoperating in a particular state or condition and that a user may want tochange the operating state or condition of the thermostat 110. Touchingvirtual button 183 directs the control system to another mode ofoperation which will be discussed further below.

FIGS. 8 to 10 show pictorial 122 in various interactive conditions. FIG.8 illustrates that virtual button 116 can undergo step 131 in responseto a user touch which also causes a change in the operating state ofthermostat 110 and a change of the legend associated with virtual button116 to one of the virtual buttons in column 132. In the example,successive steps 133 to 137 indicate that a user has touched virtualbutton 116 one or more times to cause the operating state of thermostat110 and the legend of virtual button 116 to change with respect to thosesteps as follows:

A) at step 137, from “automatic” mode to “off” mode (none of theenvironmental control equipment connected with thermostat 110 willoperate, and virtual button 116 shows “OFF”);

B) at step 133, from “off” mode to “heat” mode (a heater or a heat pumpin heat mode operates to heat the conditioned space, and virtual button116 shows “HEAT”);

C) at step 134, from “heat” mode to “cool” mode (an air conditioner orheat pump operating in the cooling mode operates to cool the conditionedspace, and virtual button 116 shows “COOL”);

D) at step 135, from “cool” mode to “emergency heat” mode (a backupelectric heater operates to keep the conditioned space temperature abovea lowest set point, and virtual button 116 shows “EMER HEAT”); and

E) at step 136, from “emergency heat” mode to “automatic” mode (the airconditioner and heater (or heat pump) operates in both the “heat” and“cool” mode, and virtual button 116 shows “AUTO”).

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an exemplary operation of changing, confirmingand showing the change made by touching virtual button 116 twice. FIG. 9shows that, under control of the process control program, virtual button116 has already responded to step 133 to briefly change from the “auto”mode to the “heat” mode on the first touch and, on the second touch, haschanged from the “heat” mode to the “cool” mode; and that a temporaryactive virtual button 138 is now displayed for a user to confirm thatthe user wishes to select the currently displayed function; i.e.,“cool”. Touching virtual button 138 under these conditions causes thechanges seen in FIG. 10. It will be particularly noted in FIG. 10 that,as a feature of the system, display 118 has disappeared since the “auto”mode is no longer operational because no heating function is active.Display 121 is still present in FIG. 10 because the “cool” mode isoperational. Should the “heat” mode be selected and “HEAT” shown withvirtual button 116, display 121 will disappear and display 118 willreappear. In the “off” mode, both displays 118 and 121 will disappear.

It will be appreciated that the virtual buttons of virtual buttonscolumn 132 may alternatively be reduced in size and distributed on thesurface of pictorial 113 instead of being a set of virtual buttonsactivated and serially viewable by invoking steps 133–137. If thevirtual buttons of virtual buttons column 132 are distributed asseparately and simultaneously viewable virtual buttons, it is desirablethat the virtual button for the function currently activated forthermostat 110 will “flash” in contrast as described above so that theuser will know which of the operating states or conditions are currentlycontrolled by thermostat 110.

However, it is an important feature of the thermostat 110 that, althougha user may touch virtual button 116, fewer or more than all the virtualbuttons of column 132, in the example, and their associated changes inthe normal operation control effected by thermostat 110 may be availableto a user. The user has the ability to “edit” and/or simplify thevirtual buttons column 132 to reflect the user's environmental controlequipment actually connected for control by thermostat 110.

If fewer than or more than the virtual buttons of virtual buttons column132 are available to the user, appropriate fewer or more touching stepswill be required to cycle through the functions of thermostat 110 andthe corresponding legends which may appear with virtual button 116. Theparticular sequence of thermostat functions available at steps 133 to137 is only exemplary of how normal user changes between operatingstates or conditions are made for thermostat 110; the virtual buttons ofcolumn 132 may, of course, have a different sequence and also reflectvarious space conditioning equipment components which may be installedin diverse applications.

Thus, as more fully described below, a user is able, typically during asystem setup, to eliminate or add to the virtual buttons shown in column132 (and their associated functions) by using the touch screen in amanner that allows the user to specify what environmental controlequipment components are actually controlled by thermostat 110 and,accordingly, included in column 132.

In practice, the thermostat manufacturer provides, in the controlprogram, control sequences for as many different types of spaceconditioning components as might be used in widely diverse applications,alone or in combination. During setup, the user of a given installationeliminates those components, and graphics displays related thereto,which are irrelevant to the given installation, thus simplifying laterongoing programming and use of the thermostat. This system setupprocedure is instituted by touching the “MENU” button 183 shown in FIG.7 which the control program responds to by displaying second-levelpictorial 140 on the touch screen.

FIG. 11 shows that pictorial 140 displays virtual buttons 141 to 149.Touching each of buttons 141 to 149 results in a new, usually thirdlevel, pictorial screen to show information and/or new buttons asfollows:

A) for “home” icon button 141, a return to the first level, normaloperation, pictorial 113 shown in FIG. 6;

B) for “DATE/TIME SETTINGS” button 142, for entering current date andtime information;

C) for “SET SCREEN” button 145, for changing screen settings for thetouch screen;

D) for “CLEAN SCREEN” button 146 to wipe the screen, e.g., with alightly dampened cloth, without accidentally changing any of thesettings; this function times out after a few seconds;

E) for button “FILTER MONITOR” button 147, entering, for display atpictorial 113 or similar touch screen, a reminder to change or cleanfilters on a specified schedule;

F) for “VACATION SETTINGS” button 148, for entering appropriate vacationsystem settings;

G) for “PROGRAM SETTINGS” button 143, for entering automatic temperatureset point adjustments, typically for each of four selectable times foreach day of the week;

H) for “ENERGY WATCH” button 144, for display of ongoing energyconsumption and costs as discussed further below; and

I) for “ADVANCED SETTINGS” button 149, for entering the environmentalcontrol equipment connected with thermostat 110, entering energyconsumption data and costs and other functions as described.

Touching virtual button 149 results in display of pictorial 150 of FIG.12. In a manner similar to button 116 of FIG. 8, buttons 154 and 158 ofFIG. 12 each represents a sequence of buttons that change after beingtouched by a user. Button 154 represents the presence or absence of airconditioning equipment connected with thermostat 110. Button 158represents the presence or absence of heating equipment connected withthermostat 110.

More particularly, the virtual buttons in column 163 are those thatbecome successively visible when a user successively touches button 154,also indicating a change in the designation of which cooling equipmentis present in a given system. Similarly, in the example, buttons incolumn 164 are those that become successively visible when a usersuccessively touches button 158, also indicating a change in thedesignation of which heating equipment is present in the given system.

In the example, invoking steps 160, 161 and 162 respectively cause achange in the function and legend appearing at button 154 from “heatpump” mode to “air conditioner” mode, from “air conditioner” mode to “nocompressor” mode (no air conditioning equipment), and from “nocompressor” mode to “heat pump” mode. The memory program containsprogramming adapted to cause effective operation of a heat pump orcompressor type air conditioner depending on the one selected at button154. If the “no compressor” mode is selected at button 154, the buttonscolumn 132 of FIG. 8 will lack the “cool” and “auto” buttons andfunctions.

Cycling through steps 165, 166, 167, 168 and 169 respectively cause achange in the function and legend at button 158 from “electric furnace”mode (presence in the given system of an electric powered furnace) to“emer. elect. furnace” mode (additional presence of an emergencyelectric furnace), from “emer. elect. furnace” mode to “gas furnace”mode (presence of a gas furnace), from “gas furnace” mode to “oilfurnace” mode (presence of an oil furnace), from “oil furnace” mode to“furnace off” mode (lack of heating equipment) and from “furnace off”mode to “electric furnace” mode. If the “furnace off” mode is selectedat button 158, the buttons column 132 of FIG. 8 will lack the “heat” and“emer heat” mode buttons and functions as well as the “auto” mode buttonand function. The control program stored in memory contains routinesadapted to cause effective operation of any combination of thedesignated equipment.

Pictorial 155 of FIG. 12 also shows virtual button 151 for changing thetemperature designation in the touch screen from Centigrade toFahrenheit, buttons 153 and 157 for entering certain set point relatedparameters, button 155 for entering an installer message and button 146for entering security settings.

FIG. 13 shows pictorial 171 which is activated by a user's touchingbutton 152 of FIG. 12. Pictorial 171 is a menu permitting entry ofenergy requirement and cost information using cost determinationinformation entry virtual buttons 172, 173, 174 and 175. Touching button172 changes the numerical legend in increments to indicate kilowatts perhour required of a compressor if air conditioning equipment is present.Thus, the user is able to enter into the energy required for operationof a cooling component in the system. In a similar manner for buttons173 and 174, a user can enter the energy requirements for a heatingfurnace or heat pump if in the system and that of a system fan. Button175 allows the user to enter the per kilowatt hour cost of energy in theuser's locality. The equipment energy requirements and energy cost arestored in the memory and used by the control program to calculate anddisplay cumulative energy used and cumulative cost of that energy for amonitored period. The memory stores in a cumulative amount the periodsin which the air conditioner, furnace, heat pump, fan and/or otherenvironmental control equipment operates, and calculates and displays,as shown in pictorial 176 of FIG. 14 the running energy costinformation. In the example, display 177 shows the number of days forwhich the energy information has been accumulated. Displays 178, 179,179, and 180 show energy used by respectively and cumulatively the airconditioning compressor, the furnace and the fan, with the total energybeing used by that equipment in display 181 and the total cost of thatenergy shown in display 182.

It will be understood that the user, with a few button manipulations,can easily determine what the running cost is for the use of theenvironmental control equipment in the user's system. In the example,the user can successively touch: an active part of the touch screen ofpictorial 113 of FIG. 6, the “MENU” button 183 of pictorial 122 of FIG.8 and the “ENERGY WATCH” button 144 of pictorial 140 of FIG. 11 toarrive at the display of FIG. 14. Alternatively, the “ENERGY WATCH”button 144 can instead or also be provided on the touch screen ofpictorial 113 of FIG. 6 so that a single button touch at the first levelinterface will bring the touch screen directly to the display of FIG.14.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 15 which shows that pictorial 113 hasalphanumeric text on the buttons and displays disposed horizontally foreasy reading, as does the same alphanumeric text on the same buttons anddisplays in pictorial 113A of FIG. 16. However, the housing 111 of FIG.15 has been rotated 90 degrees to obtain the vertical orientation of thehousing 111 of FIG. 16. The control program of thermostat 110 canreorient the display from that shown in pictorial 113 to that shown inpictorial 113A by suitably remapping the column and row drive signals tothe individual pixels of the LCD. This feature can be invoked, in oneembodiment, by touching the “SCREEN SET” button 145 of pictorial 140shown in FIG. 11 for a predetermined period of time (say five seconds),which action is sensed by the control program to cause a change ofpictorial 113 to pictorial 113A or vice versa. All the pictorials forthe touch screen for the thermostat 110 would be similarly reoriented,and FIGS. 17 and 18 show a similar translation of pictorial 155 topictorial 155A.

This feature is not limited to a translation of only 90 degrees of thealphanumeric text, graphics and buttons of thermostat 110 as describedabove. The memory program, combined with the capability of a dot matrixtype LCD, with its individually addressable pixels disposed in rows andcolumns, can cause a rotation of all those aspects of the touch screento be rotated incrementally through 360 degrees so that a user can mountthe housing 111 in whatever angled orientation is desired.

Attention is now directed to FIG. 19 in which pictorial 184 is obtainedby touching the “SET SCREEN” button 145 of pictorial 140 shown in FIG.11 for a predetermined period of time (say five seconds). This touchingaction is sensed by the control program which causes a display changefrom pictorial 140 shown in FIG. 11 to the pictorial 184 shown in FIG.19. Pictorial 184 contains a sub-pictorial 185 that is a framed andgeneralized inactive version of first level interactive pictorial 113shown in FIG. 6. The user sees in sub-pictorial 185 a general layout ofvirtual buttons, text and graphics that can be selected to view as thepictorial of the first level interactive interface. This user selectioncan be made if the “SET SCREEN” button 145 of pictorial 184 shown inFIG. 19 is not touched for a predetermined period of time (say fiveseconds). However, the user can select other general layouts of virtualbuttons, text and graphics that will thereafter be seen at the firstlevel interactive interface.

Thus, referring now to FIG. 20. pictorial 186 contains a sub-pictorial187 that is an alternate general layout of virtual buttons, text andgraphics for the first level interactive interface that can be selectedby a user. Sub-pictorial 187 appears if virtual button 145 is touchedfor a predetermined period of time (say five seconds). In sub-pictorial187, a row of virtual buttons 191 are aligned along a top part ofsub-pictorial 187 which will become the first level interactiveinterface shown in FIG. 8 when normal operation is resumed. When areturn is made to the alternative first level interactive interface,touching any one of the virtual buttons 191 causes the control programof the thermostat to change operating states to one associated with thatone virtual button. In one embodiment, a touched virtual button 191 isvisually distinguished from the other virtual buttons 191 so the userknows which operating state currently controls the thermostat. One formof effecting that visual distinction is shown for virtual button 188.Virtual button 188 after being touched causes the control program tochange the operating state of the thermostat to an “automatic” mode (theair conditioner and heater together, or a heat pump, operates in boththe “heat” and “cool” modes, and virtual button 188 shows “AUTO”).Thereafter, the visible representation of virtual button 188 changesaccording to step 190 to the contrasting virtual button 189 and back tothe form shown for virtual button 188 at short intervals to simulate a“flashing” virtual button. Virtual buttons 191 represent the sameoperating states represented by the similarly named virtual buttons ofvirtual buttons in column 132 shown in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 19 and 20 represent only two of many possible arrangements ofvirtual buttons, text and graphics that can be made available forselection by a user for the first level interactive interface. In theabove exemplary method of making that selection, the user touches orrefrains from touching the “SET SCREEN” button 145. This feature extendsthe ability of the user to select from one of several arrangements ofvirtual buttons, text and graphics at any of the levels of interactiveor passive (information or graphics only) interface of the thermostat.This feature may be implemented by steps other than touching orrefraining from touching the “SET SCREEN” button 145.

While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in anillustrative embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to thoseskilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangements,proportions, the elements, materials, and components, used in thepractice of the invention which are particularly adapted for specificenvironments and operating requirements without departing from thoseprinciples.

1. A programmable thermostat system for controlling space conditioningequipment comprising: A) at least one environmental condition sensorproviding an electrical signal indicative of the ambient temperature ofa conditioned space in which said environmental condition sensor issituated; B) a transparent touch pad juxtaposed with a generallyrectangular dot matrix liquid crystal display to constitute a generallyrectangular touch screen for interactive interface with a user, saidtouch screen having a long dimension and a short dimension; C) aprocessor, said processor including: 1) a central processing unit; 2) areal time clock; 3) a memory coupled to said central processing unit forstoring program and data information; and 4) an input/output unitcoupled between said processor and said touch screen for carrying outinformation transfer therebetween, said input/output unit furtherincluding: a) a sensor input coupled to each said environmentalcondition sensors for receiving said electrical signal therefrom; and b)a control output coupled to the space conditioning equipment for issuingcontrol signals thereto; and D) a housing for said central processingunit, said real time clock, said memory and said input/output unit withsaid touch screen being disposed on one face thereof; E) a controlprogram stored in said memory for causing said central processing unitto communicate through said input/output unit to selectively: 1)establish on said touch screen: a) a representation of a first virtualbutton; and b) a first legend indicative of said first virtual button,if touched, invoking a setup function of said thermostat, which setupfunction is for reorienting a pictorial presented on said touch screenbetween horizontal and vertical; 2) read the touch screen to determineif the representation of said first virtual button has been touched; and3) if the first virtual button has been touched, reorienting thepictorial presented on said touch screen between horizontal and verticalto facilitate respective horizontal and vertical mounting of saidhousing.
 2. The programmable thermostat system of claim 1 which substepE)3) is carried out by remapping column and row drive signals toindividual pixels of said dot matrix liquid crystal display.
 3. Theprogrammable thermostat system of claim 1 in which substep E)3) isinvoked only if said the virtual button is touched continuously for apredetermined period.
 4. The programmable thermostat system of claim 2in which substep E)3) is invoked only if said the virtual button istouched continuously for a predetermined period.
 5. A programmablethermostat system for controlling space conditioning equipmentcomprising: A) at least one environmental condition sensor providing anelectrical signal indicative of the ambient temperature of a conditionedspace in which said environmental condition sensor is situated; B) atransparent touch pad juxtaposed with a dot matrix liquid crystaldisplay to constitute a touch screen for interactive interface with auser; C) a processor, said processor including: 1) a central processingunit; 2) a real time clock; 3) a memory coupled to said centralprocessing unit for storing program and data information; and 4) aninput/output unit coupled between said processor and said touch screenfor carrying out information transfer therebetween, said input/outputunit further including: a) a sensor input coupled to each saidenvironmental condition sensors for receiving said electrical signaltherefrom; and b) a control output coupled to the space conditioningequipment for issuing control signals thereto; and D) a housing for saidcentral processing unit, said real time clock, said memory and saidinput/output unit with said touch screen being disposed on one facethereof; E) a control program stored in said memory for causing saidcentral processing unit to communicate through said input/output unit toselectively: 1) establish on said touch screen: a) a representation of afirst virtual button; and b) a first legend indicative of said firstvirtual button, if touched, invoking a setup function of saidthermostat, which setup function is for angularly reorienting apictorial presented on said touch screen; 2) read the touch screen todetermine if the representation of said first virtual button has beentouched; and 3) if the first virtual button has been touched, angularlyreorienting the pictorial presented on said touch screen.
 6. Theprogrammable thermostat system of claim 5 which substep E)3) is carriedout by remapping column and row drive signals to individual pixels ofsaid dot matrix liquid crystal display.
 7. The programmable thermostatsystem of claim 5 in which substep E)3) is invoked only if said thevirtual button is touched continuously for a predetermined period. 8.The programmable thermostat system of claim 6 in which substep E)3) isinvoked only if said the virtual button is touched continuously for apredetermined period.